Principal Mining Ventilation Engineer

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,300,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, is seeking a Principal Mining Ventilation Engineer with extensive underground experience to design, implement and optimize safe ventilation networks. You will lead technical teams, mentor engineers, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations while delivering cost-effective solutions on challenging mining projects.

The role requires a Bachelor's or Master's in Mining or Mechanical Engineering, 10–12 years in mine ventilation, and

Qualifications

• 10–12 years of specialized mine ventilation experience in underground operations.
• Expert in ventilation network analysis and CFD for mine environments.
• Proficient with Ventsim, Minescape, GGHH for modeling.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr.Eng) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and optimize underground mine ventilation systems for air supply and temperature control.
• Develop strategies for dust and fume control ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Conduct ventilation surveys and performance testing of fans and equipment.
• Lead ventilation engineering teams and mentor staff.
• Manage budgets, project plans, and resource allocation for ventilation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with mining regulations and environmental health and safety laws.
• Stay abreast of new ventilation technologies and promote adoption.
• Train junior engineers on ventilation principles.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Report writing

CFD modeling

Ventilation network analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mining/Mechanical Eng

Tools

Ventsim

Minescape Ventilation

GGHH

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished name in the mining sector, is actively recruiting for a highly experienced Principal Mining Ventilation Engineer to be based in George, Western Cape . This pivotal role demands an expert in mine ventilation systems, focusing on designing, implementing, and optimizing safe, efficient, and compliant ventilation networks for underground mining operations. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of air quality management, thermal control, and dust suppression strategies, ensuring a healthy and productive working environment for all personnel. This position is crucial for maintaining operational integrity and meeting stringent regulatory requirements. The role involves significant strategic planning and technical leadership, working on challenging and innovative projects that shape the future of our client's operations. You will champion best practices in ventilation engineering and mentor junior engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and optimize complex underground mine ventilation systems to ensure adequate air supply, temperature control, and contaminant dilution.
• Develop and implement strategies for dust and fume control, maintaining high standards of air quality in accordance with health and safety regulations.
• Conduct detailed mine ventilation surveys, performance testing of fans and auxiliary ventilation equipment, and diagnostic analyses.
• Utilize advanced mine ventilation software for network simulation, thermal analysis, and emergency response planning.
• Provide expert technical guidance and leadership to ventilation engineering teams and mine operations personnel.
• Develop and manage ventilation budgets, project plans, and resource allocation for ventilation-related initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant mining regulations, environmental standards, and occupational health and safety legislation pertaining to mine ventilation.
• Investigate and resolve ventilation-related operational issues and propose practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and methodologies in mine ventilation and promote their adoption where appropriate.
• Train and mentor junior engineers and technical staff on ventilation principles and practices.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited university.
• A minimum of 10-12 years of specialized experience in mine ventilation engineering, specifically within underground mining operations .
• Demonstrated expertise in mine ventilation network analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for mine environments, and thermal modeling.
• Proficiency with industry-standard mine ventilation modeling software (e.g., Ventsim, Minescape Ventilation, GGHH).
• In-depth knowledge of mine dust, gas, and thermal control strategies.
• Strong leadership capabilities, with experience in managing technical teams and projects.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and report-writing skills.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr.Eng) with the relevant engineering council is highly preferred.
• Experience in diverse mining environments (e.g., hard rock, coal) is a plus.

Benefits

This role comes with a highly competitive salary package, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and substantial opportunities for professional growth and development. Our client invests in its employees through continuous training and encourages career advancement within its global network. You will work in a stimulating environment with access to cutting-edge technology and the chance to contribute to significant mining projects. The company culture promotes collaboration, safety, and innovation. Relocation assistance may be considered for the successful candidate.